5 Important Preparations Before a Job Interview with a Japanese Company
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Interviews with Japanese companies usually take place online, about 30 minutes, and are often decisive for your departure. From the experience of accompanying hundreds of interviews, these are the 5 most decisive preparations
.Practice self-introduction (jikoshoukai) smoothly
The first minute is the first impression. Prepare a brief introduction in Japanese: name, origin, background and reason for wanting to work in that field. Practice until you can without reading.
Prepare a specific reason
“I want to work in Japan” is not enough. Companies want to hear: why this field? Why this company? What do you want to be in 5 years? A specific answer shows you're serious.
Make sure the family agrees
The question “is your family supportive?” almost always shows up. Japanese companies know: workers whose families are unwilling usually go home sooner. Finish this conversation at home
first. Pay attention to the little things that are “very Japanese”
Come (online) 10 minutes early. Neat camera background. Neat clothes. Pronounce the opening and closing greetings correctly. This little thing is very noticeable.
Be honest about ability
If you're asked something you can't do, don't make it up. Answer honestly plus show willingness to learn: “Never have been, but I want to learn it.” Honesty is more valued than a made-up perfect answer.
At LPK Kebun, interview exercises are part of the curriculum — complete with simulations with native speakers. Sign up or ask first here.